Whittall Wins It For Wolves

Wolves progressed through to the second round of the Birmingham Senior Cup after seeing off the spirited challenge of Halesowen Town at The Grove.

It took an extra time goal from Sam Whittall to finally decide the issue and earn a trip to Stourbridge in the next round of the competition.

Town took the lead in the 14th minute with a fine goal. Jean-Michel Gueyes fired over a great cross and Thomas Tonks ran in to dispatch a tremendous header into the net.

Jim Kellerman looked to be in with a chance of an equaliser as he jinked his way to the edge of the area but his goalbound shot struck a defender and deflected to safety.

Eusebio Bancessi did find the back of the Town net from close range at the end of a move that he had started. But his celebration was quickly cut short as the linesman’s flag was raised for offside.

Skipper Aaron McCarey made a fine save to keep out a low shot from Elliott Turner as Wanderers struggled to make an impression on proceedings. Their task wasn’t helped when Kellerman limped off shortly before the break to be replaced by Ibrahim Keita.

Half-Time: Halesowen 1 Wolves 0

The Molineux youngsters looked a much brighter side after the resumption and Carlo Erdei went close with an angled shot that was deflected over the far angle.

The visitors piled the pressure on the Town goal and the equaliser finally arrived in the 59th minute. Central defender Brendan Kelly’s slip left Keita in the clear and he made no mistake shooting past advancing keeper Paul Evans.

Ben Haseley almost restored the home team’s advantage with a dipping volley that flew inches wide before, at the other end, Kristian Kostrna went even closer with a tremendous shot that smacked against the bar and bounced clear.

In the 89th minute, Town substitute Matthew Martin almost won it for his side with a low shot that flashed narrowly wide.

The game drifted into extra-time and Kostrna went close again as he shot over when Jordan Cranston’s free-kick into the box had been headed away.

McCarey saved a fierce drive from Aaron Griffiths at the second attempt before Whittall grabbed the winning goal in the 103rd minute. Substitute Ashley Carter crossed from the left and Whittall wasted no time in diverting the ball past Evans.

Town went close to taking the game to a penalty shoot-out and McCarey had to be at his best to thwart Nigel Penney as Wolves held out for the win.